Simulated Fire Apparatus For Chimneys - A moveable or relocatable structure for providing an optical effect includes casing and an apparatus for providing an optical effect mounted in the casing. The apparatus is preferably a flame effect fire. The apparatus is mounted in an aperture of the casing and a gap is defined between the apparatus and the casing front wall to define an air flow path for entry of air into the apparatus, for example to supply a heater. A frame is provided in front of the apparatus to shield the gap from the normal view of a user. The frame is spaced forwardly from the apparatus and the casing front wall to allow an air flow path between the frame and the casing front wall which communicates with the gap defined between the apparatus and the casing front wall.

2008-09-18

20080226269

Vapor generator - The present invention provides a vapor generator for evaporating a volatile substance into the atmosphere. The vapor generator includes a heat source, a reservoir, and a wick. In one aspect of the invention, the vapor generator output is adjustable by rotating the reservoir. In another aspect of the invention, a visual indicator indicates the relative output setting of the vapor generator. In another aspect of the invention, the reservoir is mounted relative to the heat source by magnetic attraction.

HEATING APPARATUS, HEAT TREATMENT APPARATUS, COMPUTER PROGRAM AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A heating apparatus for heating a target object W is provided with a plurality of heating light sources, including LED elements for applying heating light having a wavelength within a range from 360 to 520 nm to the object. Thus, a temperature of only the shallow surface of the object, such as a semiconductor wafer, is increased/reduced at a high speed in uniform temperature distribution, irrespective of the film type.

Systems For Improved Autofocus in Digital Imaging Systems - Systems to improve autofocus in digital imaging systems, such as digital cameras, are disclosed. Embodiments may include systems for, in response to locking of lens focus on a subject image, determining an initial subject focus distance and an initial attitude, and in response to a request for an exposure, determining a final attitude. System embodiments may also include determining a final target subject distance based on the initial subject focus distance and a focus correction distance, where the focus correction distance is based on the difference between the initial attitude and the final attitude. System embodiments may also include focusing the lens at the final target subject distance. Further system embodiments may include after focusing the lens at the final target subject distance, exposing an image. Other system embodiments may include determining the initial and final attitude with a micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS)-based sensor or other sensor.

2008-09-18

20080226275

LENS DEVICE - A lens device is provided and includes: a vibration-proof lens; a movable lens disposed adjacent to the vibration-proof lens and moving in a direction of an imaging optical axis of the lens device; and a plate-like motor coil disposed around an outer periphery of the vibration-proof lens and driving the vibration-proof lens, the movable lens being located in a retracted position on the imaging optical axis relative to the plate-like motor coil when the movable lens moves closest to the plate like motor coil.

2008-09-18

20080226276

ANTI-SHAKE APPARATUS - An anti-shake apparatus (an image-stabilization apparatus) of a photographing device comprises a movable unit and a controller. The movable unit has an imaging device and is movable and rotatable for an anti-shake operation. The controller controls the movable unit for the anti-shake operation. The controller calculates a first hand-shake angle caused by yaw, a second hand-shake angle caused by pitch, and a third hand-shake angle caused by roll for the anti-shake operation. The controller commences a calculation of the third hand-shake angle from a first time point after a release switch is set to the ON state. The controller commences calculations of the first and second hand-shake angles from a second time point after the first time point, and before an exposure operation commences.

2008-09-18

20080226277

ANTI-SHAKE APPARATUS - An anti-shake apparatus (an image-stabilization apparatus) of a photographing device comprises a movable unit and a controller. The movable unit has an imaging device and is movable and rotatable for an anti-shake operation. The controller controls the movable unit for the anti-shake operation. The controller obtains information regarding a resolution at the edge of a lens that is used for an imaging operation of the imaging device. The controller controls a degree of the anti-shake operation that is performed for correcting hand-shake caused by roll on the basis of the resolution at the edge of the lens.

2008-09-18

20080226278

AUTO_FOCUS TECHNIQUE IN AN IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE - Multiple sets of pixel values representing a captured image of a scene are received, with each set representing an image captured with a corresponding degree of focus. An image processor may identify a region of interest in the captured image, automatically determine the configuration parameters for a lens assembly to provide a desired degree of focus for the region of interest, and generate signals to configure a lens assembly. In an embodiment, the region of interest is a face, the desired degree of focus of the face is determined by computing a rate of variation of luminance of pixels representing the face, and the desired degree is the degree of the image having the maximum degree of focus.

2008-09-18

20080226279

Auto-exposure Technique in a Camera - An image processor, which determines appropriate exposure parameters for a shutter assembly in a camera. The image processor may computationally determine a region of interest in a scene sought to be captured, and set the parameters to ensure that the exposure parameters are set to capture an image of the scene with the region of interest having a desired brightness level. In an embodiment, pixel values of multiple frames (each frame with a corresponding set of configuration parameters of the shutter assembly) may be examined to determine the frame having pixel values with the region having the desired brightness level. The shutter assembly may be configured with the parameters corresponding to such a frame to provide an auto-exposure feature.

2008-09-18

20080226280

INTERCHANGEABLE LENS - An interchangeable lens which can communicate with a camera body to which the interchangeable lens is detachably attached to exchange data of the interchangeable lens, includes a logic IC serving as an interface via which the interchangeable lens communicates with the camera body; a memory which is provided independent of the logic IC, connected to the logic IC, and stores the data of the interchangeable lens; and a controller, connected to the logic IC, for controlling operations of the interchangeable lens. The logic IC selectively switches connections of terminals thereof with the memory and the controller for communication therewith upon receiving a communication signal from the camera body.

2008-09-18

20080226281

Business system for three-dimensional snapshots - A method for enabling viewing of stereoscopic images is provided. The method includes generating a stereo pair of images in digital form using at least one image recording device configured to produce two digital images producing a stereo pair. The method further includes offering the user an ability to provide the stereo pair of images to a display facilitator, the display facilitator comprising an ability to elect display from at least one from a group comprising a service bureau, a device configured to print the stereoscopic image, and a device configured to display the stereoscopic image. The user has an ability to choose a display facilitator for receiving the stereoscopic image and further has an ability to view at least one stereoscopic image resulting from the generating.

Four-axis camera mount for medical purpose - A four-axis camera mount for medical purpose includes a cantilever arm having different sections separately turnable in X, Y, and Z axis; a coupling element having a camera coupled therewith; a screw rod assembly having a screw rod connected at an inner end to a motor in a base located at a free end of the cantilever arm, and a moving element mounted around the screw rod and fastened to the coupling element, so that the screw rod can be driven by the motor to rotate for the moving element and the coupling element to linearly reciprocate; and a guiding mechanism mounted to the base and having a locking plate fastened to the moving element to ensure stable linear reciprocation of the moving element and the coupling element. Therefore, the camera on the coupling element may have an increased shooting area.

2008-09-18

20080226284

Bipod Platform System for a Camera - A support structure for supporting an image capture device generally comprises a base, a first vertically oriented, elongated support member supported by the base, a mechanism that provides tilting and panning of the device relative to the first support member, and elevation of the device along the first support member, and a second elongated support member disposed to stabilize the mechanism. Preferred bases include bases that are foldable and/or rotatable, and ones that have a leveling device coupled to the base. Preferred support members can be rotatable relative to the base.

SELECTABLE LENS MECHANISM AND CAMERA HAVING SAME - A camera includes a housing, a camera lens and a supplemental lens mechanism positioned on the housing and located in front of the camera lens. The supplemental lens mechanism includes a supplemental lens set, a carousel, a holder, a bracket, and a positioning ring. The supplemental lens set includes a number of supplemental lenses configured for producing different imaging effects. The carousel is disposed in front of the camera lens. The holder joins with the carousel to hold the supplemental lens set. The bracket is disposed in the housing of the camera and accommodates/carries the carousel. The positioning ring couples to the bracket to hold the carousel. The carousel can rotate in the bracket to make a selectable one of the supplemental lenses in the supplemental lens set align with the camera lens.

Optical device testing - In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a pattern generator to generate a test bit pattern in an electrical signal, an optical transponder to covert the electrical signal to an optical signal, transmit the optical signal to a device, and receive a processed test bit pattern from the device, and an error detector to analyze the processed test bit pattern to determine an error rate associated with the device.

OPTICAL RECEIVING APPARATUS AND OPTICAL LEVEL ADJUSTED QUANTITY SETTING METHOD THEREFOR - The present invention relates to an optical receiving apparatus designed to receive light wavelength-demultiplexed in a wavelength multiplex optical transmission system. The optical receiving apparatus includes an optical level adjusting unit for adjusting a level of light inputted and for outputting the level-adjusted light and a light receiving unit for receiving the light outputted from the optical level adjusting unit. An optical level adjusted quantity in the optical level adjusting unit is set so that the level of light of relatively shorter wavelength band becomes lower than the level of light of relatively longer wavelength band. This enables normal signal light reception to be achieved irrespective of a variation in the number of wavelengths with a simple configuration.

2008-09-18

20080226292

Method and Processing Device for Transmitting Ethernet Service Signals in Wavelength Division Multiplexing Networks - Disclosed is a method for transmitting Ethernet service signals in a Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) network, including: a Center receiving Ethernet service signals and transmitting the signals to a transmission channel; a receiving station receives the Ethernet service signals, performs a space-division cross operation upon the received signals, duplicates the signals into two copies, where one is locally downloaded while the other is returned to the transmission channel. Three devices for processing the Ethernet service signals in the WDM network are provided. With the present invention, the broadcast of the Ethernet service signals with large granularity is implemented, therefore decreasing the delay for broadcast the real-time services; besides, it is not necessary anymore to construct a overlapped network with three layers of devices, i.e. a WDM system, a Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) system and a data device, so the network structure is simplified and management is convenient.

Passive optical network system and method of data transmission in the passive optical network - Regarding the passive optical network (PON) system of the present invention, in an OLT, data of different bit rates is framed, and framed data rows are subjected to FEC encoding processing without changing the line up of the data, and a check bit is added to the end of the frame, and an optical signal that has been modulated in accordance with the data row to which the check bit has been added is transmitted to the optical transmission line. Then in an ONU that corresponds to a high speed bit rate to which an optical signal from the OLT has been applied via a power splitter, forward error correction of the reception data is performed. As a result in a PON system in which data of different bit rates coexist, the minimum reception rate of a high speed ONU can be improved without having an influence on a low speed ONU.

2008-09-18

20080226295

LIGHT MODULATING APPARATUS - A light modulating apparatus which is to be used in a transmission system using wavelength division multiplexing has: a signal generating section for producing a transmission signal and the like; a first light modulating section for modulating light emitted from a light source, on the basis of the transmission signal; a variable phase shifter which changes a phase of a light quantity control signal; a second light modulating section for modulating a light signal emitted from the first light modulating section, on the basis of an output of the variable phase shifter; a branching section for branching a light signal emitted from the second light modulating section, into an output light signal and an electric signal; and an analysis controlling section for sampling the electric signal, controlling the variable phase shifter on the basis of sampled data, and adjusting a timing of the modulation in the second light modulating section.

2008-09-18

20080226296

Optical transmitter with suppressing wavelength deviation at begging of operation - An optical transmitter is disclosed in which the wavelength deviation occurred at the turning on from the disabled state to the enabled state by the negating of the Tx_Disable command is suppressed. The optical transmitter includes a semiconductor laser diode (LD) and an automatic temperature controller (ATC) circuit to drive the thermoelectric cooler (TEC). When the transmitter receives the Tx_Disable to start up the operation of the LD, a pulsed signal is generated in synchronizing with the transition of the Tx_Disable signal to momentarily enhance the cooling capacity of the TEC in order to compensate the increase of the temperature of the LD by the self heating, which prevents the output wavelength of the transmitter from deviating.

2008-09-18

20080226297

Optical Fiber Paper Reader - Techniques for authenticating certificates of authenticity (COAs) are discussed. The techniques provide for a simplified authentication system that is easily utilized in a field setting. In described embodiments, COAs are attached to or otherwise associated with goods to be authenticated. The COAs incorporate random or pseudo-random arrangements of optically sensitive fibers to create unique identifiers. A COA reader device optically scans each COA and characterizes the COA according to its unique arrangement of optical activity. A COA reader device may also scan data (e.g., a barcode) that is associated with the COA. The data contains information about the COA to further strengthen the COA authentication process. Based on the scan, the goods associated with the COAs can be verified as genuine (i.e., not pirated).

2008-09-18

20080226298

Optical Transmission System - The present invention has been achieved to provide a novel optical transmission system realizing high-speed optical transmission over greater distance by suppressing waveform degradation caused by mode dispersion and mode transition in a multimode optical transmission line. The optical transmission system of the present invention includes: an optical transmitter for transmitting incoherent light; an excitation mechanism for exciting a predetermined mode in the incoherent light transmitted from the optical transmitter; a multimode optical transmission line for transmitting the incoherent light transmitted from the excitation mechanism; a transmission mechanism for transmitting a predetermined mode in the incoherent light transmitted from the excitation mechanism; and an optical receiver for receiving the incoherent light transmitted from the transmission mechanism or the incoherent light transmitted from the transmission mechanism.

2008-09-18

20080226299

OPTICAL TRANSMISSION APPARATUS - An optical transmission apparatus includes redundant line cards each having a plurality of ports, a hardware unit and a CPU. The hardware unit obtains failure information on redundant lines for each port. The CPU determines switching control of the redundant lines based on the failure information. Then, the hardware unit switches the redundant lines based on the switching control determined by the CPU, so as to transmit an SDH/SONET optical signal in a ring network. The CPU of one of the line cards is set as a master CPU on the corresponding line card to control switching of the redundant lines. Further, the CPU of the other line card is set as a slave CPU.

2008-09-18

20080226300

OPTICAL DIFFERENTIAL-PHASE-SHIFT-KEYED DEMODULATOR APPARATUS AND METHOD - A system and method for demodulating an optical differential-phase-shift-keyed (DPSK) input signal using a Fabray-Perot etalon filter. In one embodiment the system receives a transmitted wavefront from the etalon filter and uses a detector to generate an electrical waveform from the transmitted wavefront. A comparator is used to receive an output from the detector and to generate a signal in accordance with each phase shift (i.e., bit transition) in the optical DPSK input signal. A latching flip-flop receives an output from the comparator and generates a digital signal representative of the bit pattern of the DPSK input signal. The system and method does not require the precisely matched dual optical paths of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, and therefore is substantially less susceptible to thermal effects that could influence the operation of a conventional Mach-Zehnder interferometer in DPSK demodulation operations.

2008-09-18

20080226301

System and Method For Increasing Spectral Efficiency, Capacity and/or Dispersion-Limited Reach of Modulated Signals in Communication Links - A system and method for increasing spectral efficiency, capacity and/or extending dispersion-limited reach in a communication link employs narrow filtering of a baseband signal to reduce the original bandwidth to a substantially smaller bandwidth for transmission across a transmission medium such as an optical fiber. By restricting the bandwidth, the rate of spreading is reduced significantly. The receiver at the other end of the transmission medium includes an equalizer for returning the received signal to its original bandwidth for retrieval of information contained in the signal.

2008-09-18

20080226302

CHROMATIC DISPERSION COMPENSATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - Dispersion compensation is provided in an optical transmission system. An optical line couples first and second transceivers, and a plurality of amplifiers coupled to the optical line are spaced throughout the optical line with variable span distances. A plurality of dispersion compensation modules include a coarse granularity fiber, a connector, and a fine granularity fiber. A memory is associated with the dispersion compensators to provide information related to the value of the dispersion compensation.

2008-09-18

20080226303

DISPERSION-MANAGED OPTICAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM - An optical transmission system that alleviates waveform distortions due to nonlinear effects in fibers. A transmitter sends WDM signals to a receiver over a dispersion-managed optical transmission line with in-line optical repeaters. The transmission line is divided into a plurality of dispersion compensation intervals each composed of a main segment and a compensation segment. Chromatic dispersion is managed such that the dispersion compensation intervals have a non-zero net dispersion at every boundary point between them, or such that the number of zero-dispersion boundary points is reduced. The main segment is a series of repeater sections with negative dispersion, while the compensation segment is a single repeater section with positive dispersion. Non-uniform distribution of net chromatic dispersions over the transmission length is achieved by combining repeater section with different average dispersions, dispersion compensation intervals with different numbers of repeater sections, or repeater sections with different span lengths.

2008-09-18

20080226304

OPTICAL TRANSMISSION APPARATUS - An optical transmission apparatus includes redundant line cards each installed with hardware and a CPU. The hardware obtains failure information on redundant lines including a working line and a protection line, and the CPU determines switching control of the redundant lines based on the obtained failure information. Further, the hardware switches the redundant lines based on switching control determined by the CPU, so as to transmit an SDH/SONET optical signal. In the apparatus, from or to hardware installed in each of the redundant line cards, the failure information obtained by the hardware is communicated to hardware installed in a neighboring line card.

2008-09-18

20080226305

INTEGRATED OPTICAL WAVEFORM MODULATOR - A method of modulating an optical carrier. A target carrier modulation is computed based on an input data signal. An effective length of an optical modulator is then controlled based on the target carrier modulation.

2008-09-18

20080226306

GT decoder having bandwidth control for ISI compensation - An optical receiver apparatus and methods for mitigating intersymbol interference (ISI) in a differentially-encoded modulation transmission system by controlling constructive and destructive transfer functions. The receiver includes a bandwidth control element for controlling transfer function bandwidth, a transfer phase controller for controlling transfer function phase and/or an imbalancer for imbalancing the transfer functions for compensating for intersymbol interference and optimizing the quality of the received optical signal.

2008-09-18

20080226307

Methods and systems for monitoring multiple optical signals from a single source - Methods and systems for monitoring a plurality of different optical signals from a single source of such signals, where each such different optical signal is spatially separated from other such signals and directed to different detectors or locations upon a single detector, which direction is generally accomplished through the use of a small number of optical components and/or manipulations.

2008-09-18

20080226308

Web cartridge refurbishment verification - A method of verifying web cartridge refurbishment is disclosed. The method includes installing a refurbished web cartridge in a print apparatus, the print apparatus comprising an encoder and a web sensor and utilizing the encoder and the web sensor to verify refurbishment of the installed web cartridge.

2008-09-18

20080226309

Image forming apparatus - An image forming apparatus is capable of reducing the vast amounts of image forming apparatus input lines by placing detection data from a plurality of detection means on a single signal line. An image forming apparatus may include an image forming controller configured to control a movement of the image forming apparatus, plural drivers configured to drive plural actuators, an identification controller configured to be coupled to a data signal line, an identification signal line and a term signal line, wherein the identification controller is configured to identify one of the plural drivers based on a term signal and an identification signal that are output from the image forming controller, and to output a driving signal from the image forming controller to the identified driver.

2008-09-18

20080226310

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a data processor, a first calculating unit, a second calculating unit, an updating unit, and an instructing unit. The first calculating unit calculates estimated developer consumption necessary to form an image. The second calculating unit calculates developer consumption corresponding to a sum of density values of image pixels. The updating unit calculates remaining developer. The instructing unit issues an instruction to the data processor to reduce developer to be consumed when the estimated developer consumption exceeds the remaining developer. The data processor converts scanned image data into print image data in response to the instruction such that the image is to be formed with the remaining developer.

2008-09-18

20080226311

DEVELOPMENT DEVICE, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE DEVELOPMENT DEVICE - A novel development device includes a developer roller, a developer reservoir, a rotatable conveyor, and a replenisher unit. The developer roller is configured to supply toner particles to the electrostatic latent image. The developer reservoir is configured to hold the developer therewithin for application to the developer roller. The rotatable conveyor is configured to rotate within the developer reservoir to convey the developer toward the developer roller. The replenisher unit has a tubular member terminating at a port opening in the developer reservoir. The replenisher unit is configured to direct a particulate material through the tubular member into the developer reservoir via the port. The particulate material is toner particles, carrier particles, or a mixture of toner particles and a given amount of carrier particles. The port is submerged in the developer within the developer reservoir as the rotatable conveyor rotates.

2008-09-18

20080226312

ACTUATOR, OPTICAL SCANNER, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An actuator includes: a first vibration system including a driving member having a frame shape, and a pair of first axial members each one end of which supports the driving member so as to allow the driving member to rotate about an X-axis; a second vibration system including a movable plate provided inside the driving member, and a pair of second axial members each one end of which supports the movable plate so as to allow the movable plate to rotate about a Y-axis perpendicular to the X-axis; a driving unit including a ferromagnetic member, a coil acting a magnetic field on the ferromagnetic member and a voltage applying unit applying a voltage to the coil, either one of the ferromagnetic member and the coil being disposed at a position on the driving member apart from each of the X and Y axes in a plan view of the movable plate; and a positioning portion that is disposed to the driving member and determine a fixing position of the ferromagnetic member or the coil with respect to the driving member. The movable plate rotates about each of the X and Y-axes by the voltage applying unit applying a voltage to the coil.

2008-09-18

20080226313

Image forming apparatus and image forming method - An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, an intermediate transferring body and a contact type secondary transferring member transferring an image from the intermediate transferring body to a recording medium. The apparatus forms an image with respective developers for multiple colors and uses a predefined adjustment pattern to make density adjustment and position adjustment of respective color images. After execution of the density adjustment and/or the position adjustment, a stain prevention pattern is formed with a yellow developer to cover an area where the adjustment pattern is attached to the secondary transferring member.

2008-09-18

20080226314

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An image forming apparatus of the invention conveys paper fed by a paper feeding mechanism piece by piece to a paper discharging unit through a paper conveying path. An image forming unit is arranged in a midway portion of this paper conveying path and executes an image forming process for printing an image based on image data on paper being conveyed. A sensor that detects a type of the paper conveyed is arranged on an upstream side with respect to the image forming unit on the paper conveying path. Image forming process conditions for the image forming unit are set in accordance with a detection result of the sensor. When the paper fed to the paper conveying path is paper not detected by the sensor, the image forming process is started awaiting a detection result by the sensor. On the other hand, when the paper is detected by the sensor, the image forming process is started without awaiting paper type detection. Moreover, paper being conveyed is conveyed to the image forming unit, in which the image forming process is started, in synchronization with a printing operation of the image forming unit.

2008-09-18

20080226315

FUSER UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME - A fuser unit for an image forming apparatus including: a tape-like cleaning member that abuts on a fuser roller and cleans its peripheral surface; a press roller that presses the fuser roller via the cleaning member; a feed roller that feeds said cleaning member; a wind roller that winds the cleaning member therearound; and a controller that actuates a fixing function before an image formation, stops it after said image formation, and rotates and stops the wind roller and/or the feed roller to control a winding quantity of the cleaning member, wherein said controller calculates a toner image amount based on the prescribed number of pages by tracking from a page on which an image is formed just before the image formation is completed, and determines whether or not said cleaning member is wound around the wind roller during a non-fixing period based on the calculated toner image amount.

2008-09-18

20080226316

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Toner images of reference patterns having different resolutions are formed on an image carrier, image densities of the toner images of reference patterns are detected by a density sensor, and an output of the density sensor, when the detected densities equate among the reference patterns having different resolutions formed with the same image forming condition, is memorized as a reference value for calibrating the output the density sensor.

2008-09-18

20080226317

Image Forming Apparatus and Method - An image forming apparatus, includes: a plurality of image forming stations each of which includes a photosensitive member and a charger that charges a surface of the photosensitive member to a specified surface potential, and is adapted to execute an image forming operation of forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member charged by the charger and developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form an image; a plurality of direct-current bias generators that are provided corresponding to the respective plurality of chargers and generate direct-current voltages as direct-current components of charging biases to be given to the chargers; a plurality of series resistors that are provided corresponding to the respective plurality of chargers and electrically connect the plurality of chargers and the direct-current bias generators corresponding to the chargers in a one-to-one relationship; an alternating-current bias generator that generates alternating-current voltages as alternating-current components of the charging biases to be given to the chargers; and a controller that controls the voltage values of the direct-current voltages to be outputted from the respective direct-current bias generators, wherein the direct-current voltage outputted from the direct-current bias generator corresponding to the charger via the series resistor corresponding to the charger and the alternating-current voltage outputted from the alternating-current bias generator are superimposed and applied as the charging bias to each of the plurality of chargers, and the controller sets the voltage value of the direct-current voltage outputted from the direct-current bias generator to the sum of a target voltage preset as a voltage to be applied to the charger corresponding to the direct-current bias generator and a voltage drop caused by the series resistor corresponding to the charger and calculated based on a detection result on a direct current flowing into the charger for each of the direct-current bias generators.

2008-09-18

20080226318

METHOD OF ROTATING REVOLVER UNIT USING A PLURALITY OF MOTORS - According to an embodiment of the invention, a revolver unit is rotationally driven by using three stepping motors. The weight of developing cartridges loaded on the revolver unit is identified on the basis of the quantity of remaining toner in toner cartridges. At the time of rotationally driving the revolver unit, output timing of the stepping motor closer to the developing cartridge which has a large quantity of remaining toner and has a heavy weight is made earlier, and output timing of the stepping motor far from this developing cartridge is delayed.

2008-09-18

20080226319

Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus including a plurality of developing devices each having a plurality of guide parts on both lateral sides, a frame body having a plurality of guide members configured to receive the guide parts of the developing devices, a front door for receiving and removing the developing devices from the frame body, and a position regulating member having a plurality of regulating parts and a connecting part configured to connect each regulating part, the position regulating member having an L-shape to regulate movement of the plurality of developing devices, each end of the regulating part configured to be placed between the guide part and the guide member, and the connecting part configured to be placed between the developing devices and the front door.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND TANDEM IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus has a photoconductive drum or belt supporting a toner image, a transfer member transferring the toner image onto a recording medium, a transportation device transporting the recording medium to between the photoconductor and the transfer member, a charger charging a surface of the transfer member to the anti-polarity of the electric charge of the toner image, a rotation drive unit rotating the transfer member to the same direction of the recording medium transportation, a contacting /removing unit that contacts the transfer member to the image supported member for printing and removes the transfer member from the image supported member when not printing, and a drive force transferring/blocking unit that transfers the drive force from the rotation drive unit to the transfer member before print starting-up and blocking the drive force during printing.

2008-09-18

20080226322

Method for Printing of a Recording - In a method or system for printing of a recording medium, potential images of images to be printed are generated on a potential image carrier. The potential images are developed into an image film comprising image regions and non-image regions on the potential image carrier via application of a liquid developer comprising a polymerizable carrier fluid with dye particles suspended therein. The image film is transferred onto the recording medium. The image film is fixed on the recording medium via a cross-linking reaction of the carrier fluid such that the dye particles of the image regions are embedded in a fixed polymer matrix and the carrier fluid hardens into a transparent film that permanently bonds with the recording medium. The cross-linking reaction of the carrier fluid is started, accelerated, or extended by at least one component.

2008-09-18

20080226323

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A printing speed is adaptively set using Fuzzy inference, based on various printing environments including a printing medium width and the average amount of printing, so that the internal temperature of an apparatus can be stably maintained, and the use convenience can be enhanced.

2008-09-18

20080226324

Heating device, fixing device, and image forming device - A heating device includes a magnetic field generating unit, and a heat generating body having a heat generating layer generating heat due to electromagnetic induction, and a temperature-sensitive layer. The heat generating layer is disposed opposing the magnetic field generating unit. The temperature-sensitive layer has a Curie temperature greater than or equal to a set temperature of the heat generating layer and less than or equal to a heat-resistant temperature of the heat generating layer, and is disposed at a side of heat generating layer opposite a side where the magnetic field generating unit is disposed such that heat from the heat generating layer is conducted. At temperatures lower than the Curie temperature, the temperature-sensitive layer causes the magnetic field to penetrate in from the heat generating layer, and at temperatures greater than or equal to the Curie temperature, causes magnetic flux of the magnetic field to pass therethrough.

Fixing device, image forming apparatus including the fixing device, and fixing method - A fixing device includes an excitation coil, a heat-generating layer, a magnetic shunt layer, and a degaussing member. The excitation coil generates a magnetic flux. The heat-generating layer generates heat using the magnetic flux generated by the excitation coil. The magnetic shunt layer transmits heat generated by the heat-generating layer. The degaussing member sandwiches the magnetic shunt layer together with the excitation coil, and selectively performs degaussing by generating a repelling magnetic flux for canceling the magnetic flux generated by the excitation coil so as to activate a self-temperature-control function. The degaussing member selectively refrains from degaussing so as to deactivate the self-temperature-control function.

2008-09-18

20080226327

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND AUTHENTICATION METHOD - An image forming apparatus including applications and system side software for providing system side services to the applications is provided, in which the image forming apparatus includes: an authentication module for displaying an authentication screen on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus, wherein the authentication module allows the image forming apparatus to display a screen for using the image forming apparatus instead of the authentication screen if authentication data input from the authentication screen satisfies an authentication condition, and wherein the authentication module is provided in the image forming apparatus separately from the system side software.

2008-09-18

20080226328

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus for judging, on the basis of image information, whether an image to be printed is a monochromatic image or a full color image, deciding, at the beginning of a job, a separation mode for the monochromatic image and a contact mode for the full color image, deciding, after a predetermined condition is satisfied on the basis of previous result information of the concerned job, the contact mode for both monochromatic images and full color images, and printing the images in the decided mode.

2008-09-18

20080226329

Image Forming System and Use Status Display Program - An image forming system includes: a computer; an image forming apparatus configured to be coupled to the computer; an inquiry unit which inquires, to the image forming apparatus, about a use status thereof; an acquisition unit which acquires the use status from the image forming apparatus, to which the inquiry unit has inquired; and a display unit which displays the use status acquired by the acquisition unit distinguishably whether the image forming apparatus is controllable by the computer.

2008-09-18

20080226330

APPARATUS FOR IMAGE FORMATION - An apparatus for image formation comprises a fixing unit, first to fourth switching units, a DC power supply unit, an accumulating unit, a charging unit, and a switching control unit. The first switching unit switches the state of connection between the fixing unit and a commercial power source. The DC power supply unit supplies another electric load of the apparatus than the fixing unit with DC power. The second switching unit switches the state of connection between the DC power supply unit and the commercial power source. The third switching unit switches the state of connection between the charging unit and the commercial power source. The fourth switching unit switches the state of connection between the accumulating unit and the electric load. Based on the state of conduction of the first switching unit, the switching control unit switches the states of conduction of the other three switching units.

2008-09-18

20080226331

Imaging Units and Methods of Insertion Into An Image Forming Device - The present application is directed to an imaging unit for an image forming device. In one embodiment, the imaging unit includes a frame that includes brace members that are connected together to form a central opening. The imaging unit may also include separate mounting locations positioned on the frame in a side-by-side orientation. Each of the mounting locations may be adapted to receive a imaging unit and position a PC member of the imaging unit. The frame may also include locating features to align the frame within the image forming device. Electrical contacts may be operatively connected to the frame. The electrical contacts may operatively connect with the image forming device to provide electrical communication to each of the plurality of imaging units.

2008-09-18

20080226332

EXPOSURE APPARATUS AND EXPOSURE METHOD, AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - An exposure apparatus includes: a supply port through which a liquid is supplied to an optical path space of exposure light; and a supply passage in which the liquid flows and which is in fluid communication with the supply port. An amount of a predetermined substance mixed into the liquid in the supply passage is set to be not greater than a predetermined value.

2008-09-18

20080226333

USED TONER COLLECTION DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A used toner conveyance device includes a lateral conveyance member for conveying used toner substantially in the horizontal direction, and a vertical conveyance member for upwardly conveying the used toner transferred from the lateral conveyance member. The vertical conveyance member transfers the used toner to either a collection space or a next conveyance path. The vertical conveyance member stops its operation when a prescribed delay time has elapsed after the lateral conveyance member stops conveyance operation.

2008-09-18

20080226334

DISCHARGER, IMAGE CARRIER UNIT, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A discharger includes: a discharge electrode member that is placed opposedly to a member to be charged; an opposed electrode member that is placed opposedly to the discharge electrode member; and a power source circuit that applies a discharge voltage for generating a discharge between the discharge electrode member and the opposed electrode member, and the electrode member having a surface that includes a covered layer covered by a covering material is formed on a surface opposed thereto, and the covering material containing a carbon atom, or a carbon atom and another atom or other plural atoms as a main component, and having an SP3 structure by a carbon atom.

2008-09-18

20080226335

Image transfer device and method for cleaning a part thereof - An image transfer device for a sheet-fed image reproduction system is disclosed in which an improved removal of contaminants from the surface of an image transfer member is possible by using a tacky surface cleaning member contacting the image transfer member surface. The tacky surface of the cleaning member is rejuvenated substantially without affecting the productivity of the image reproduction system by applying predetermined patterns of cleaning substance on the image transfer member surface in the non-image areas, being the part of the inter-image areas coinciding with the inter-sheet areas. Also disclosed is a method for cleaning the image transfer member surface of such image transfer device.

DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF MOUNTING/SEPARATING DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE ON/FROM IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus having a developing cartridge includes a lower main body, and a developing cartridge installed in the lower main body and including a photosensitive medium. An upper main body may be separably installed on an upper side of the lower main body and includes an upper pressing member to press the developing cartridge downward. A lower pressing member, installed in the lower main body, is positioned to press the developing cartridge upward. In the case where a rotation axis of the photosensitive medium of the developing cartridge is set as a rotation center, a moment of force is applied to the developing cartridge by the upper pressing member and an opposing moment of force being is applied to the developing cartridge by the lower pressing member in the opposite direction.

2008-09-18

20080226339

Image Forming Apparatus and Cartridge for the Use Therewith - An image forming apparatus and a cartridge for use therewith are provided. The image forming apparatus includes a main body; a cartridge that stores a developer; and a supporting member that receives the cartridge, the supporting member being rotatably supported by the main body. The supporting member pivots between a reception position at which the cartridge is received into the main body and an exposure position at which the cartridge is exposed from the main body. The cartridge includes an inner chassis; an outer chassis comprising a shutter member; a first protrusion provided at one of the inner and outer chassis; and a second protrusion provided at the other chassis, wherein the first and second protrusions engage with the image forming apparatus, such that one is moved and the other is regulated, based on a position of the cartridge with respect to the image forming apparatus.

2008-09-18

20080226340

DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME, AND MAINTENANCE METHOD OF DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE - A developing cartridge includes a main frame including a photosensitive medium, and a charging member frame including a charging member to charge the photosensitive medium and detachably disposed at the main frame. The main frame includes a plurality of frame reference grooves, and the charging member frame includes a plurality of frame reference projections to be inserted into the plurality of frame reference grooves of the main frame.

2008-09-18

20080226341

Developer Cartridge - A developer cartridge has: a first body having an opening; a memory unit that has a contact terminal, the memory unit is provided at the first body; and a second body that covers the first body, the second body having a exposure hole; wherein the second body and the first body are movable relative to each other, the second body is able to open and close the opening by a relative movement with regard to the first body, and wherein the contact terminal of the memory faces to outside of the developer cartridge through the exposure hole when the second body is positioned at a first position in which the opening is opened, and the contact terminal of the memory unit is covered with the second body when the second body is positioned at a second position and the opening is closed by the second body.

2008-09-18

20080226342

Developer Cartridge - A developer cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus and contains developer, the developer cartridge comprising: a first body that has an opening for supplying the developer; a second body that covers the first body, the second body having a conductive portion that can transmit electricity; and a memory unit that is disposed between the first body and the second body, the memory unit can be connected to a terminal of the image forming apparatus through the conductive portion of the second body, wherein the second body and the first body are movable relative to each other, the second body is able to open and close the opening by a relative movement with regard to the first body.

2008-09-18

20080226343

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus to remove a jammed printing medium and to prevent a transmission of fixing heat is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit to fix a toner image into a printing medium when the toner image is transferred onto the printing medium, the fixing unit including a fixing frame on which a pair of fixing rollers are rotatably disposed, at least one discharge roller disposed on the fixing frame, and a discharge guide movable with respect to the fixing frame, and having a plurality of guide protrusions to guide the printing medium toward the discharge roller when the printing medium passes through the fixing unit. The fixing unit additionally includes a cover to cover the discharge roller and the discharge guide, and a plurality of heat dissipating ribs extending from an outer surface of the cover. The heat dissipating ribs have a height and are arranged at a gap from each other so as to prevent a user's hand from directly contacting the cover.

2008-09-18

20080226344

POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE, DRIVE TRANSMITTING APPARATUS OF IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A power transmitting device that allows a rotation driving unit to stably rotate at a constant angular velocity while overcoming an effect of backlash of a gear which is an element to transmitting power, a drive transmitting apparatus of an image forming apparatus that employs the power transmitting device, and an image forming apparatus that employs the power transmitting device. The power transmitting device includes a weighted rotor that has a weight larger than the rotation object and is connected to the rotation object to rotate along with the rotation object; and a viscous member to reduce a rotation force of the weighted rotor due to a viscosity of a fluid filled therein. The power transmitting device prevents change of the rotation speed of the rotation object due to a gear backlash by using the weight of a weighted rotor and a viscous braking force of a damping grease, and the anti-backlash function can be maintained during a long period of operation. Accordingly, when the power transmitting device is applied to a drive transmitting apparatus of an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus forming stable images can be realized.

2008-09-18

20080226345

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE THEREOF - An image forming apparatus and a power transmission device capable of intermittently transmitting power reliably to a plurality of driven bodies from a driving source with a small number of clutches. The power transmission device includes a cam part which rotates by receiving power of the driving source, a clutch device which intermittently transmits the power to the cam part to determine a stop position of the cam part, a first power transmission unit which transmits the power to any one of the plurality of driven bodies according to the stop position of the cam part, and a second power transmission unit which transmits the power to the other driven bodies of the plurality of driven bodies according to the stop position of the cam part. The cam part includes a rotating disc and a plurality of press members which are provided on one surface of the rotating disc to press the first power transmission unit and the second power transmission unit according to the stop position of the rotating disc.

2008-09-18

20080226346

Inkjet Solid Imaging System and Method for Solid Imaging - Solid imaging apparatus and methods for use are disclosed that reduce the amount of uncured solid imaging build material remaining on a completed build object following the completion of the solid imaging build process. The amount of uncured build material is reduced through the use of either an uncoating web that removes excess build material from the build object during the course of the building process or an ink jet source of build material that uses only as much build material as is necessary for the fabrication of the build part. Also disclosed is an imager assembly for use with such a solid imaging apparatus that incorporates two or more individual imagers in an array and accounts for variations in the intensity and alignment of adjacent imagers. The apparatus can be modified for semi-continuous operation and for integrating into a manufacturing operation, if desired.

2008-09-18

20080226347

Electronic apparatus and image forming apparatus - An electronic apparatus includes a main body; a maintenance member operated by an operator for maintenance; and a hand touch member disposed on the maintenance member. The hand touch member is formed of a conductive material, and is connected to a ground portion disposed in the main body.

2008-09-18

20080226348

MULTI-PASS TYPE IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive body, and a plurality of developing devices to develop a color image on the photosensitive body. The plurality of developing devices include fixing type developing devices, of which positions relative to the photosensitive body are fixed, and moving type developing devices, of which positions relative to the photosensitive body are changed. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus can be manufactured compactly, by mounting four developing devices, e.g., for yellow, magenta, cyan and black for the color printing such that three developing devices stand by at the respective development positions and one developing device variably moves to the development position so that the photosensitive body is reduced in diameter when compared to a conventional photosensitive body which opposes four developing devices.

2008-09-18

20080226349

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND DEVELOPMENT DEVICE - An image forming apparatus includes a development device for supplying a developer containing toner and carrier to an electrostatic latent image carrying member for carrying thereon an electrostatic latent image, or a process cartridge for integrally storing the development device and the electrostatic latent image carrying member. The development device includes a conveyance path for charging and conveying the developer, and a developer carrying member for developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image with the use of the developer conveyed through the conveyance path. The conveyance path includes a first conveyance member for receiving replenished toner and generating conveyance force for conveying the replenished toner and the developer in one direction, and a second conveyance member for generating conveyance force for conveying a portion of the developer conveyed by the first conveyance member in the opposite direction to the conveyance direction of the first conveyance member.

2008-09-18

20080226350

Developing device and image forming apparatus - To provide a developing device capable of preventing the hysteresis phenomenon. The developer of the developing device contains a toner and a carrier. The toner and the carrier are charged to a polarity different from each other by frictional contact thereof. The developing device has a first conveyance member and a second conveyance member which faces an electrostatic latent image bearing body via the second region. An electric field forming device forms a first electric field between the first conveyance member and the second conveyance member to move the toner in the developer retained by the first conveyance member to the second conveyance member, and forms a second electric field between the second conveyance member and the electrostatic latent image bearing body to move the toner retained by the second conveyance member to an electrostatic latent image of the electrostatic latent image bearing body. The first electric field is an oscillating electric field having both a function to supply the toner to the second conveyance member and a function to collect the toner from the second conveyance member while a time average field strength is biased to a side where the toner is supplied from the first conveyance member to the second conveyance member, and a time ratio for carrying out the function to collect the toner from the second conveyance member to the first conveyance member is 60 to 80%.

2008-09-18

20080226351

Toner Paddle for Distributing Toner Within An Image Forming Device - The present application is directed to devices for moving toner within an image forming device. In one embodiment, the device includes a reservoir with an inlet that leads into the reservoir through a first sidewall. New toner may be introduced through the inlet and into the reservoir. A paddle may be positioned within the reservoir to move the toner from the inlet and through the reservoir. The paddle may prevent the toner from accumulating at the inlet which may act as a block to prevent further toner from being moved into the reservoir. The paddle may include a shaft with a weighted first arm extending from the shaft in a first direction and a second arm extending from the shaft in a second direction. The arms are weighted such that the first arm is heavier than the second arm. The paddle is positioned within the reservoir such that rotation of the paddle moves the toner from the inlet throughout the reservoir.

2008-09-18

20080226352

Process cartridge and image forming apparatus - When starting driving of an agitating unit or a developing roller in an image forming apparatus, rotation speed of one or both of the agitating unit and the developing roller is raised in a stepwise manner until the agitating unit and the developing roller attain a steady rotation speed. When stopping the driving of the agitating unit or the developing roller, the rotation speed is lowered in a stepwise manner until completion of stop of the driving.

2008-09-18

20080226353

APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR LOADING A DONOR ROLL UTILIZING A SLOW SPEED TRIM ROLL - An apparatus for loading one or more donor rolls of a developer unit, comprising a developer housing having a reservoir for a developer material, a rotatable first donor roll that delivers the toner onto a moving photoconductive member, a trim roll that receives developer material from the reservoir and delivers the developer material to a first magnetic brush roller that delivers toner to the first donor roll, and a rotatable second magnetic brush roll that receives the developer material from the first magnetic brush roll and delivers the toner to the first donor roll. The apparatus may further comprise a rotatable second donor roll that receives the toner from the second magnetic brush roll and delivers the toner onto the photoconductive member, and a rotatable third magnetic brush roll that receives the developer material from the second magnetic brush roll and delivers the toner to the second donor roll. The apparatus may further comprise a trim blade for trimming excess developer material from the trim roll.

2008-09-18

20080226354

APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR LOADING A DONOR ROLL - An apparatus for loading one or more donor rolls of a developer unit, comprising a developer housing having a reservoir for a developer material, a rotatable first donor roll that delivers the toner onto a moving photoconductive member, a rotatable first magnetic brush roll that receives the developer material from the reservoir and delivers the toner to the first donor roll, and a rotatable second magnetic brush roll that receives the developer material from the first magnetic brush roll and delivers the toner to the first donor roll. The apparatus may further comprise a rotatable second donor roll that receives the toner from the second magnetic brush roll and delivers the toner onto the photoconductive member, and a rotatable third magnetic brush roll that receives the developer material from the second magnetic brush roll and delivers the toner to the second donor roll.

2008-09-18

20080226355

DEVELOPMENT DEVICE, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS - A development device includes a developer support body including a non-magnetic hollow body which contains a magnetic field generator and attracts a developer onto an outer surface by a magnetic force of the magnetic field generator, a magnetic member being disposed around the magnetic field generator and exerting a magnetic force on the magnetic field generator, and an anti-deflection magnetic field generator being provided around the hollow body and exerting a magnetic force on the magnetic field generator to prevent a deflection of the magnetic field generator by negating at least one of the magnetic force of the magnetic member and a gravitational force due to empty weight of the magnetic field generator.

2008-09-18

20080226356

IMAGE DEVELOPER USING ONE-COMPONENT DEVELOPER - An image developer using a one-component developer, Including a developing roller visualizing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearer with a pulverized toner; and a feed roller feeding the pulverized toner to the developing roller while contacting thereto, wherein the pulverized toner includes a parent toner; a wax; and an external additive comprising an additive having a number-average particle diameter of from 20 to 60 nm and adhering to the surface of the parent toner at an adherence strength of from 50 to 70%, and wherein the following relationships (1) to (3) are satisfied:

Image forming apparatus - A reciprocating-motion converting mechanism includes a cam that rotates around a rotation center; a reciprocating member that is reciprocated due to rotation of the cam; and a pressing unit that presses the reciprocating member to the cam. A first load torque is generated by a load applied at a point of contact of the cam and the reciprocating motion member. A load applying unit applies a load to the cam to generate a second load torque having a phase substantially opposite to a phase of the first load torque.

2008-09-18

20080226359

Image-Forming Device - The pattern data generating unit generates pattern data indicative of a pattern of a plurality of marks including a plurality of first marks each having a first color and a plurality of second marks each having a second color so that a first target-total is equal to a second target-total. The first target-total is a total of deviations of first target-positions from a reference position in a predetermined direction. The second target-total is a total of deviations of second target-positions from the reference position in the predetermined direction. The controlling unit controls the image-forming unit to calibrate the second target-positions based on the offset of a second actual-total from a first actual-total.

2008-09-18

20080226360

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - An image of a color misregistration detection pattern is formed, and the amount of color misregistration is detected by reading of the pattern image. The amount of color misregistration detected by a detecting unit and the delay time from the time when image data is requested to the time when the image data is output are stored. The color misregistration is corrected based on the stored delay time and amount of color misregistration.

2008-09-18

20080226361

Image forming apparatus with image adjusting function, image adjusting method and image adjusting program - An image forming apparatus with an image adjusting function using a adjustment patterns transferred on an endless belt including; a calculation unit that obtains, based on the measured positions of the adjustment patterns, a deviation in a rotating direction and/or in a width direction, respectively; and an adjustment unit that adjusts an image to be formed based on each obtained deviation, the adjustment patterns including a first oblique pattern obliquely intersecting with one straight line extending in the width direction of the endless belt in a right front direction and a second oblique pattern obliquely intersecting with the line in a left front direction, the calculation unit obtaining the deviation in the rotating direction from an average of the deviations of the first and second oblique pattern in the rotating direction and obtaining the deviations of the first and second oblique pattern in the width direction, respectively.

FIXING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus is provided with a fixing roller that fixes a toner image that has been transferred onto a paper, a cleaning member that cleans a circumferential surface of the fixing roller using a metal roller that is idly rotated by contacting the circumferential surface of the fixing roller, a drive control means that, at a predetermined timing, sets a rotation velocity of the fixing roller to high-speed rotation that is faster by a predetermined velocity than a rotation velocity during print processing, a load torque detection means that detects a load torque of a drive source of the fixing roller, and a determination means that determines an extent of smearing of the cleaning member based on a load torque detected by the load torque detection means during high-speed rotation by the drive control means.

2008-09-18

20080226364

IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming method comprising the steps of: (i) charging a surface of a photoreceptor; (ii) exposing the charged photoreceptor to form an electrostatic latent image; (iii) developing the electrostatic latent image using a toner comprising at least a release agent to form a toner image; (iv) transferring the toner image on the photoreceptor to a transfer material; and (v) fixing the toner image transferred on the transfer material employing a contact-heating fixing devise comprising a pair of belts, wherein the releasing agent comprises a first release agent component containing a monoester compound represented by Formula (1) and a second release agent component containing a hydrocarbon having a branched chain structure, wherein a content of the first release agent is 40 to 98% by mass, based on a total mass of the first release agent component and the second release agent component:

2008-09-18

20080226365

PROTECTIVE-AGENT APPLYING DEVICE, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A protective-agent applying device that applies a protective agent mainly containing paraffin to a photosensitive element. The protective-agent applying device applies a protective agent to a surface of the photosensitive element in such a manner that when applying the protective agent for 10 minutes, the protective agent equal to or more than 0.5 μg/cm